All Blacks centre Reiko Ioane confirms shock Leinster move to replace Jordie Barrett
04/16/2025 04:15 AM
All Blacks centre Reiko Ioane has confirmed his plans for a shock move to Leinster, once the 2025 Super Rugby season has come to an end. Ioane will undergo a brief sabbatical with the Irish province, yet will remain under contract with his Auckland Blues club in New Zealand.
Ioane shared his decision this morning on social media, with a photo-shopped image of him in the iconic blue kit of the Dublin club. Whilst Ioane has no plans to step away from his international career with the All Blacks, the 81-capped midfielder is ready to utilise the six-month sabbatical clause that has been written into his contract.
Ioane posted on Instagram: "What's up fam just wanted to announce, I'll be heading to Leinster at the end of the year on a sabbatical break. It's an exciting opportunity to play in Ireland for an iconic team, grow my game and experience something different with my family. Will be back refreshed and ready to rock second half of 2026. Until then locked in with my blues brothers.”
Ioane looks set to be Leinster All Black replacement for Jordie Barrett, once the New Zealand superstar returns to his homeland at the end of the 2024/25 United Rugby Championship season. Barrett has certainly lived up to the billing throughout his run in the Irish capital, as Leinster enjoyed a 12-match unbeaten run in the URC and have reached the semi-finals of the Investec Champions Cup.
With four tries in nine caps, Barrett has been a dependable asset in the Dubliners attacking line. His stand-out performance so far being a Player of the Match effort against Harlequins, as Leinster hammered the Londoners 52-0 in the quarter-finals of the Champions Cup. Ioane has been in blistering form for the Blues this season, yet there is no denying the personal history he has with a Leinster legend.
Ioane has some bridges to re-build on his way to Ireland, after his heated exchange with Johnny Sexton following the All Blacks' win over Ireland at the last World Cup. As the final whistle blew at Stade de France, Ioane reportedly told Sexton to enjoy retirement and not miss his flight home – later reinforcing the jab with a social media post.
EDITORS PICKS:
The post All Blacks centre Reiko Ioane confirms shock Leinster move to replace Jordie Barrett appeared first on Ruck.
